August 24–31, 2000
disc quicks|jazz
The Free Bop Movement
Alafia Records
Those familiar with the local groove and acid-jazz scene should already know Jafar Barron. A veteran of Silk City’s Back 2 Basics series and a frequent guest at Wilhelmina’s, the trumpeter has for several years been a prime example of Philly’s contemporary sound. That sound gets a clear definition on The Free Bop Movement, Barron’s first CD. Thanks to a sterling rhythm section — bassist Mike Boone, drummer Rodney Green, and brother Farid Barron on Fender Rhodes piano — the proceedings are never static. Check out Green’s Clyde Stubblefield homage on "Transit Dance: Dancing Mass Transit," or the buoyant hip-bop of "Old Boy Fey Grey." Barron’s pocket trumpet dances above these percolating foundations with a rhythmic assuredness and a strong sense of phrase (as well as a less-fortunate proclivity for licks). He receives frontline assistance from reedist Lamont Caldwell and guitarist Tim Motzer, and occasional spoken word material from Oskar Castro. These latter contributions produce some interesting textures (e.g., "On the Down Low," with Barron-produced loops and liberal Ralph Ellison references), but ultimately do little to enhance the music. The group sounds best when they’re burning (e.g. the aforementioned "Transit") or laying down in the pocket ("onthedownlowinvisiblemanincognegro"). Yet it’s tempting, by the end of the disc, to regard the soul-funk nexus as a bit of a trap. Barron and his crew consistently manage to do more with less, but there are few breakthrough moments on this disc.